Dutch Queen and Prime Minister Welcome World Cup Runners-Up

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands received the national football team on Wednesday following its return from South Africa, where it finished runner-up at the 2010 World Cup.

The reception took place at the royal palace in The Hague, bringing the squad together with the queen after its World Cup campaign.

The Dutch prime minister also welcomed the team on its return. The reception marked official recognition of the players’ achievement in reaching the final.

The Netherlands came home without the trophy but with second place in the tournament, a finish acknowledged by the country’s royal and political leadership.